Daily Readings - Tue Nov 13 2018
Titus
1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,13while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Luke
7"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?8Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?9Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?10So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living out our faith with integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to serving others. The first reading from Titus emphasizes the need for all members of the Christian community—old and young, men and women—to live in a way that reflects sound doctrine and moral virtue. It calls us to self-control, kindness, and a life of good works, not for personal gain or recognition, but because it is who we are as followers of Christ. The Gospel from Luke complements this message by highlighting the attitude with which we should serve. Jesus teaches us that true service is not about seeking praise or gratitude but about faithfully fulfilling our duties as disciples. When we have done all that is required of us, we should humbly acknowledge that we have only done what was expected of us.
The readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on living out our faith in a way that is both virtuous and humble. Titus provides a broader vision of what it means to live a life shaped by the Gospel, while Luke narrows in on the posture of the heart that should accompany such a life. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just about what we believe but about how we live. The grace of God, as Titus says, has appeared to all people, instructing us to live soberly, justly, and devoutly in this age. This grace is not just a gift to us but also a call to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of God in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves how we are living out our faith in our daily lives. Are we striving to be examples of integrity and virtue in our families, workplaces, and communities? Do we serve others with humility, recognizing that our efforts are not for our own glory but for the glory of God? Let us embrace the call to live as people who are “zealous for good works,” not seeking praise but simply doing what is right because we belong to Christ. In doing so, we fulfill our duty as His disciples and bear witness to the grace that has been given to us.